September 05, 2005
Prof.
Cynthia Chambers began her career as a professional librarian over
20 years ago, joining the faculty of the St. John’s University
Libraries in 1992. She received her Bachelor’s degree in
music from Capital University in Ohio, and holds a Master’s degree
in library science from Kent State University, where she did
graduate work in musicology. She earned a second
Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Lutheran
Seminary in Ohio.
Prof. Chambers serves as the head of the Information Management
Department, a division of Collections and Information Management
within the University Libraries. As department head, she is
responsible for overseeing all aspects of the cataloging of
materials in the university libraries, including establishing
departmental policies and procedures, staff supervision, and the
coordination and monitoring of special projects. She works
with the library departments on the various campuses to ensure
accurate and efficient access to library materials.
Using established cataloging standards, she makes decisions
regarding materials in her subject areas that require complex
cataloging. For the last few years, Prof. Chambers has also
been actively involved in the preparation and implementation of the
library’s new online catalog, which was launched last summer.
Beyond her supervisory role, she is a member of the Exhibits
Committee for the Queens campus library, helping curate several
exhibits including the library’s annual Founder’s Week
display. She also provides instruction to interested
faculty and graduate students in the Reference
Manager database software.
In addition to her departmental responsibilities, Prof. Chambers
serves as the University Libraries’ liaison to the Theology and
Religious Studies Dept. in St. John’s College. Her duties include
materials selection in theology, providing research and reference
assistance to department faculty and students as requested, and
keeping faculty members informed of new library resources and
services. She also conducts information literacy sessions for
theology classes, primarily to sections of the core courses
“Discover New York” and “Perspectives on Christianity”. Prof.
Chambers is part of the adjunct faculty in the Theology Dept. as
well, most recently offering instruction in “Introduction to the
Bible”. Additionally, Prof. Chambers is a member of the
University’s Vincentian Mission Council and the Founder’s Week
Planning Committee.
Beyond her professional activities, Prof. Chambers has served as a
member of the Archives Advisory Committee for the Metropolitan New
York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The
committee is responsible for overseeing the development and
maintenance of the Synod Archives which are housed at Wagner
College on Staten Island, NY. In the past, Prof. Chambers has
also served on the Synod’s Commission for Women, a committee that
promotes the recognition and participation of women in the Lutheran
Church. She has conducted Bible studies for both lay and
clergy groups and this year led a study group that evaluated a new
adult Bible study curriculum for the Lutheran publisher Augsburg
Fortress.
In addition to her other skills and talents, Prof. Chambers is an
accomplished musician. Currently, she performs as a vocal
soloist at her church, where she sings for private events and
religious services. She also works with the congregation’s
musical director on music selection and liturgical planning for
worship. She performs in a number of choirs as well,
including the Waldorf Choral Society in Garden City, which each
year presents several concerts of classical music at the Cathedral
of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY.